The dropping of 18-year-old Jacques comes as probably the biggest surprise as he played in 40 games last season for Halifax, recording two goals and seven points, while posting a plus-seven rating.

Halifax has 30 players left in camp, including 16 forwards, 11 defenceman and three goaltenders.

That total doesn’t include sniper Nikolas Ehlers, who hasn’t yet rejoined the team. The Mooseheads have given Ehlers until Aug. 20 to arrive at camp, due to his busy off-season training with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the first round of the NHL draft in June.

The Mooseheads, who are 1-1 in the preseason, return to action on the road Friday against the Saint John Sea Dogs.